PRECEPTOR ROLE SELF-PERCEPTIONS: MASTER'S NURSING STUDENTS' EDUCATION IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING.
Contributors: George Mason University.
Published: 1994
Number of pages: 195
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Education.; Education, Higher.
Description: The purpose of this research study was to describe preceptors' self-perceptions of their roles in the education of master's nursing students in hospital settings. This study builds on a study conducted by Bashoff (1988) which examined four preceptor roles: role model, designer of instruction, resource person, and supervisor. The structural-functional perspective in the development of role theory served as the theoretical framework, providing a basis to analyze roles of individual members located in a given position. The role concepts explored are role experiences, role preparation, and role self-perception.

The research was a descriptive study using a mailed questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The questionnaire gathered quantitative and qualitative data and consisted of a modification of Bashoff's (1988) tool and an investigator's designed component. Acceptable instrument validity and reliability were established. The participants were surveyed and the final usable sample was 50 giving an overall 78% return rate.

Results suggest that preceptors had similar characteristics and held various types of work positions in numerous specialties. Preceptor role experiences and preparation differed; however, preceptor role self-perceptions on the four preceptor roles were similar. Many preceptors (38%) performed the preceptor role for the first time with master's nursing students. Half the respondents had attended a formal training program. A t test revealed statistically significant differences (p $<$.05) between: clarity of course objectives and the Resource Person role, clarity of course objectives and Supervisor role, and exposure to principles of teaching and adult learning and Resource Person. ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences (p $<$.05) between critical care and oncology specialties and the Supervisor role.

Major recommendations for further study include exploring preceptor role preparation and development, designing a preceptor program, studying preceptors' motives and rewards, and examining preceptors' expectations of students.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-05, Section: B, page: 1805.

Thesis (PH.D.)--GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY, 1994.

School code: 0883.